Joyce Ann Pendleton Burris
Joyce Ann Burris, 81, of Breckenridge, Texas, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, in Eastland, Texas. Her memorial service will be held at St. Paul Methodist Church and will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 29, with Mark Wilcox officiating. Her interment will follow at the Breckenridge Cemetery immediately after the funeral service. Her family will welcome friends for a visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in St. Paul Methodist Church.
Joyce Ann Pendleton was born in Breckenridge, Texas, on October 2, 1942, to Hubert M. and Susie Stewart Pendleton. The youngest of five children, she is preceded by her siblings, Louise Cockerell, Russell Pendleton, Faye Nell Miller, and Don Pendleton.
Joyce is survived by nieces, Pam and her husband Doyle Raglin of Breckenridge, and Donna and her husband Randy Duncan of Lovington, New Mexico; nephew Roy and his wife Mitzi Miller of Breckenridge; numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and her close friend William “Bill” Davidson.
Joyce was a member of St. Paul Methodist Church. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1961 and attended Texas Tech University in 1961 and 1962.
She was employed by the Lone Star Gas Company in Abilene for two years. In 1964, she moved from Abilene to Houston, Texas, where she attended San Jacinto College. She earned a Certified Professional Secretary rating in 1981 and an Associate of Arts degree in 1987.
Joyce worked for McDonnell Douglas from 1964 until the merger of McDonald Douglas and Boeing, for a total of 33 years of service. She was involved in the Gemini, Apollo, ASTP, and Space Station projects. For several years, she managed the 51-person office support staff as the Space Station project began recruiting. In 1992, Joyce was awarded the Silver Eagle Award, a companywide quality and productivity award.
Joyce retired in 2003 and returned to live in Breckenridge.
Memorial donations in Joyce’s name can be made to Meals on Wheels in Breckenridge, Hendrick Hospice in Abilene, League House in Abilene, and Reclaim Breckenridge. Donations may be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Messages of condolence can be left online and meltonkitchens.com.
